Annabelle

This wonderful four-month-old girl is beautiful and very sweet. She was picked up as a stray in Pittsylvania County.

The time between Christmas Day and New Year’s Eve is always a time of reflection for me. By the time you read this column, I will have done something that I usually do not do. I usually go to a small family celebration on New Year’s Eve, get home by 9:00, and go to bed far before midnight. Frankly, 2013 has been such a challenging year, that I am going to stay up until midnight on December 31st, not to usher in the New Year, but to make sure the old one leaves.

In 2013, we did not solve all the animal problems in this area, but we certainly did help thousands of individual animals. Our wish is that 2014 is a kinder, gentler one for animals than the past has been.

We wish that all cats could have loving owners, who make sure the cats have all their needs met. Our ultimate wish is that all cats could be inside. If this is not possible, than we want all cats to have shelter, food, and water at all times. We wish that all dogs could have loving owners, who make sure the dogs have all their needs met. We wish all dogs could get off chains, would not be allowed to roam freely, and would have shelter, food, and water at all times.

We wish the same for all the companion rabbits, guinea pigs, birds, ferrets, hamsters; yes, in fact, we wish the same for all the companion animals.

We wish all animals could live life to the measure of their creation, and then die quickly and painlessly.

We wish all the humans with whom animals come into contact would have gentle hands and caring hearts.

So, goodbye to you, harsh and sad 2013. On January 1, 2014, we woke up, determined to do what we can to make our wishes come true.

To adopt Annabelle, or any of the wonderful animals, at Danville Humane Society, call 434.799.0843